Trump Denies Using Racist Terms During Immigration Meeting
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WASHINGTON (CBSMiami) - The debate over immigration reform is being overshadowed by reports of presidential profanity in the Oval Office.
Several lawmakers have called President Donald Trump's remark "racist" and "reprehensible." This, as the president, today, will sign a declaration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
Late Thursday afternoon, during an Oval Office meeting, lawmakers floated the idea of restoring Temporary Protected Status for some immigrants. Trump apparently grew frustrated and shocked lawmakers with his response.
"Why are we having all these people from s***hole countries come here?" Trump asked.
Trump then suggested that the U.S. admit more people from countries like Norway.
Thursday night, Trump took to Twitter to defend his immigration priorities and denied using a racist term to describe immigrants from Africa, Haiti, and El Salvador.
The so-called bipartisan DACA deal presented yesterday to myself and a group of Republican Senators and Congressmen was a big step backwards. Wall was not properly funded, Chain & Lottery were made worse and USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
....countries which are doing badly. I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level. I want safety and security for our people. I want to stop the massive inflow of drugs. I want to fund our military, not do a Dem defund....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
....Because of the Democrats not being interested in life and safety, DACA has now taken a big step backwards. The Dems will threaten "shutdown," but what they are really doing is shutting down our military, at a time we need it most. Get smart, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made - a big setback for DACA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
Republicans and Democrats alike have condemned the president's remarks.
The Haitian government has summoned the top-ranking U.S. diplomat to explain the president's comment.
Friday morning, Trump took to Twitter to deny he said anything derogatory about Haiti.
Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said "take them out." Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings - unfortunately, no trust!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
Sen. Dick Durbin refuted Trump's tweeted denials that he used the phrase "s***hole countries" when discussing legal protections for immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries. Durbin, who was in the meeting with the president when he made the remarks, said of Trump's denial, "It's not true. He said those hateful things, and he said them repeatedly."
Durbin said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham actually spoke up during the meeting and challenged the president's comments to his face. Durbin said that took incredible political courage and he respects him for it.
Graham released a statement which read in part:
"Following comments by the President, I said my piece directly to him yesterday. The President and all those attending the meeting know what I said and how I feel. I've always believed that America is an idea, not defined by its people but by its ideals.
The American ideal is embraced by people all over the globe. It was best said a long time ago, E Pluribus Unum - Out of Many, One. Diversity has always been our strength, not our weakness."
The White House did not deny the president's reported remarks. A spokesperson released a statement that said in part, "Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people."